Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) simulator enabling repeated defibrillation training

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0112642, filed on Oct. 10, 2012, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The following description relates to a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) simulator enabling repeated defibrillation training, and more particularly, to a CPR simulator employing magnetic electrode pads, which enables repeated defibrillation training to be performed in conjunction with CPR.

2. Description of the Related Art

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure, performed in an effort to manually preserve brain function until further measures are taken to restore spontaneous blood circulation and breathing in a person experiencing cardiac arrest. Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the heart rhythm and delivers a shock to restore proper heart function.

CPR and swift defibrillation are required to be performed as primary first aid treatment for a person during a sudden cardiac arrest. CPR requires the following steps: checking whether a patient is conscious or unconscious; asking someone to help or to call for emergency medical services; checking whether the patient is breathing normally; checking the carotid pulse; performing chest compressions if heart failure occurs; tilting the head back to clear the patient's airway; performing artificial respiration to provide air for the patient who is not breathing; and alternating chest compressions and artificial respiration until emergency crews arrive.

Rapid defibrillation means performing defibrillation on a patient using an AED possibly found in the surroundings or carried by an ambulance.

An AED is a device that delivers an electric shock to a patient in sudden cardiac arrest in order to resuscitate the heart of the patient. In more detail, the AED determines whether an electrocardiogram shows a normal wave or an abnormal wave, such as a ventricular fibrillation wave or a ventricular tachycardia wave, and then, if it is determined that the electrocardiogram shows an abnormal wave, sends an electronic shock to the heart so as to make the abnormal wave return to normalcy. These days, the AED is regarded to be as important as CPR. It is now imperative that public facilities be equipped with an AED, so it is easy to find the AED. In addition, the AED supports an audio guide function so that not only emergency crews, but ordinary people can handle the AED more easily.

The AED is used in conjunction with CPR, as described in the following: an electrode pad attaching step in which the AED is turned on and then electrode pads are attached, one to an area below the right clavicle and the other pad to an area below an armpit along the left torso at elbow level of a diaphragm; a heart rhythm analyzing step in which the heart rhythm is analyzed, and, if it is determined that defibrillation is necessary, the AED is automatically charged up to a preset level; a defibrillation step in which defibrillation is performed in response to a determination that defibrillation is necessary; and a repetitively performing step in which chest compression and artificial respiration are performed at a ratio of 30:2 after the analysis of the heart rhythm. Heart rhythm is analyzed at every two minutes, defibrillation is carried out, and the same operations are repeated sequentially.

The AED delivers an electric shock to the heart of a patient. In order to properly use the AED, medical experts are trained using an automated external defibrillator or a general defibrillator which is capable of delivering an electric shock. However, if an unskilled person administers the AED to deliver an electric shock, a dangerous accident may occur. For example, an excessive current may be discharged that threatens the patient's life. In addition, if an electric shock is generated repeatedly, every trainee cannot practice using a defibrillator due to limited battery life. For this reason, unskilled people are trained using an AED trainer, which is virtually the same as an AED, but does not deliver an electric shock.

Generally, a pair of one-time use electrode pads is provided for defibrillation training. An electrode pad is attached to the chest of a human body to analyze an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal, and deliver an electric shock to the body. A once-used electrode pad can hardly be attached again to the chest due to dust and foreign particles. In addition, the gel of an unsealed electrode may become drier with the passage of time, and thus adhesive force may be reduced. All of the above conditions may lead to an error in analyzing an ECG signal, thereby making it impossible to properly handle a patient. For example, an AED may deliver an electronic shock to a patient although it is not necessary. For those reasons, an electrode pad is recommended to be used only once. Yet, as defibrillation training aims for educating a plurality of trainees, an electrode pad is used repeatedly due to costs.

A pair of electrode pads of an AED needs to be attached to an area below the right clavicle and to an area below an armpit along the left torso at elbow level of a human body. Each electrode pad includes a drawing that shows the exact points on the body at which the electrode pads need to be attached. Nonetheless, an unskilled person may still attach an electrode pad on an incorrect area, or attach a left-side electrode pad to the right side of the body, and vice versa. In the above cases, an electrocardiogram wave may not be measured, or an electrocardiogram of a patient may be analyzed incorrectly due to a changed phase. For this reason, repeated defibrillation training is required to train a trainee in accurately attaching electrode pads on the correct areas of the body.

In the related art, a plurality of trainees cannot be sufficiently trained in using a defibrillator due to costs of changing electrode pads. In other words, a disposable electrode pad is used several times in spite of a possibility that an ECG signal may be analyzed incorrectly. In addition, a CPR simulator used for defibrillation training is simply a model of a real human body, and it is unable to recognize exact locations of electrode pads to thereby analyze an ECG signal and delivering an electric shock.

SUMMARY

The following description aims to provide a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) simulator enabling repeated defibrillation training, which employs semi-permanently usable magnetic electrode pads, and recognizes locations at which the electronic pads are attached, so that repeated defibrillation training may be possible using the CPR simulator.

In one general aspect, a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) simulator enabling repeated defibrillation training to allow a user to practice CPR and use of a defibrillator, is provided, and the CPR simulator includes a dummy in a body shape similar to a human body shape; a first magnet installed on a upper right part of a chest of a body of the dummy: a second magnet installed on a bottom left side of the chest of the body of the dummy; a first training pad having a first metal sheet, to be attached to the first magnet, formed on one side thereof and a first electrode pad, to be attached to the upper right part of the chest, formed on the other side thereof; and a second training pad having a second metal sheet, to be attached to the second magnet, formed on one side thereof and a second electrode pad, to be attached to the bottom left side of the chest, formed on the other side thereof, wherein the first and second metal sheets are attached to the first and second magnets, respectively, so that the first and second training pads are attached to the upper right part and the bottom left side, respectively, of the chest due to magnetic force.

A metal sheet may be formed in either the first training pad or the second training pad, and proximity sensors, each configured to detect the metal sheet, may be installed in an area close to the first magnet and an area close to the second magnet.

The metal sheet may be formed only in the first training pad, and the proximity sensors, each configured to detect the metal sheet, may be installed in an area close to the first magnet and to an area close to the second magnet.

A plurality of first magnets may be installed around a proximity sensor, whereas a plurality of second magnets may be installed around a different proximity sensor.

The first metal sheet and the second metal sheet may be in a form of thin foil, and each of the first metal sheet and the second metal sheet may be paper containing steel (Fe) or made from rubber or silicon materials containing steel (Fe) so as to be attached to a magnet.

Other features and aspects will be apparent from the following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a perspective view illustrating a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) simulator enabling repeated defibrillation training according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a perspective view illustrating a dummy shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, to which a cover is coupled;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a perspective view illustrating a dummy shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, to which first and second training pads are attached;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a front view illustrating a CPR simulator enabling repeated defibrillation training according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a side view illustrating a CPR simulator enabling repeated defibrillation training according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a front view illustrating the first and second training pads shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>; and

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a cross sectional view illustrating the first and second training pads shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, unless otherwise described, the same drawing reference numerals will be understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures. The relative size and depiction of these elements may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein. Accordingly, various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein will suggest themselves to those of ordinary skill in the art. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for increased clarity and conciseness.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a perspective view illustrating a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) simulator enabling repeated defibrillation training according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the CPR simulator enabling repeated defibrillation training includes a dummy <b>100</b> having a body shape similar to a human body, a first magnet <b>210</b> to be installed to an upper right part of the chest of the body of the dummy <b>100</b>, a second magnet <b>220</b> to be installed to the bottom left side of the chest of the body of the dummy <b>100</b>, a first training pad <b>310</b> having a first metal sheet <b>311</b> formed on one side thereof and a first electrode pad <b>312</b> formed on the other side thereof, a second training pad <b>320</b> having a second metal sheet <b>321</b> formed on one side thereof and a second electrode pad <b>322</b> formed on the other side thereof. If the first and second metal sheets <b>311</b> and <b>321</b> are attached to the first and second magnets <b>210</b> and <b>220</b>, respectively, the first and second training pads <b>310</b> and <b>320</b> are attached to the upper right part of the chest and the bottom left side of the chest in the dummy <b>100</b> by magnetic force.

The dummy <b>100</b> has a body shape similar to a human body. The dummy <b>100</b> may have a typical human body shape covered with silicon or urethane materials, which are of similar texture to real human skin in terms of elasticity. In addition, the dummy <b>100</b> may consist of a body, a head, arms and legs. A joint part used in each body part may be designed to have the same degree of freedom kinematics of a corresponding joint of a human body.

Each of the first and second magnets <b>210</b> and <b>220</b> has a magnetic force that attaches the first and second metal sheets <b>311</b> and <b>321</b> to the first and second magnet <b>210</b> and <b>220</b>, respectively. The first magnet <b>210</b> is installed to the upper right part of the body of the dummy <b>100</b>. Specifically, the first magnet <b>210</b> is installed below the right clavicle of the dummy <b>100</b>. In addition, the second magnet <b>220</b> is installed to the bottom left side of the body of the dummy <b>100</b>. Specifically, the second magnet <b>220</b> is installed to an area below an armpit along the left torso at elbow level of the dummy <b>100</b>.

The first training pad <b>310</b> has the first metal sheet <b>311</b> formed on one side thereof and the first electrode pad <b>312</b> formed on the other side thereof, and may be configured to be a combination of the thin-foil first metal sheet <b>311</b> and the first electrode pad <b>312</b> which are laminated adhesively. Similarly, the second training pad <b>320</b> has the second metal sheet <b>321</b> formed on one side thereof and the second electrode pad <b>322</b> formed on the other side thereof, and may be configured to be a combination of the thin-foil second metal sheet <b>321</b> and the second electrode pad <b>322</b> which are laminated adhesively.

Accordingly, if the first metal sheet <b>311</b> is attached to the first magnet <b>210</b> by magnetic force, the first electrode pad <b>312</b> laminated on the first metal sheet <b>311</b> may become attached to the upper right part of the body of the dummy <b>100</b>. In addition, if the second metal sheet <b>321</b> is attached to the second magnet <b>220</b> by magnetic force, the second electrode pad <b>322</b> laminated on the second metal sheet <b>321</b> may become attached to the bottom left side of the body of the dummy <b>100</b>.

The first and second electrode pads <b>312</b> and <b>322</b> may be provided as a pair of electrode pads in an AED trainer, an AED, and a defibrillation equipment used for defibrillation training. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first and second metal sheets <b>311</b> and <b>321</b> may be made from various types of materials containing steel (Fe). In particular, the first and second metal sheets <b>311</b> and <b>321</b> may be paper containing steel (Fe) or may be made from rubber or silicon which is mixed with steel (Fe).

Accordingly, if the first and second metal sheets <b>311</b> and <b>321</b> are attached to the first and second magnets <b>210</b> and <b>220</b>, the first and second training pads <b>310</b> and <b>320</b> are attached to the upper right part of the chest and the bottom left side of the chest, respectively, by magnetic force.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a perspective view illustrating a dummy to which first and second training pads, shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, are attached. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a front view illustrating a CPR simulator enabling repeated defibrillation training according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a side view illustrating a CPR simulator enabling repeated defibrillation training according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3 to 5</figref>, an aluminum sheet <b>400</b> is formed on either the first training pad <b>310</b> or the second training pad <b>320</b>, and a proximity sensor <b>500</b> is installed on an area close to the first magnet <b>210</b> or the second magnet <b>220</b> in the dummy <b>100</b>. Inserted between the first metal sheet <b>311</b> and the first electrode pad <b>312</b> or between the second metal sheet <b>321</b> and the second electrode pad <b>322</b>, the aluminum sheet <b>400</b> may be provided in the first training pad <b>310</b> or the second training pad <b>320</b>. At this time, the laminated structure between the first metal sheet <b>311</b>, the metal sheet <b>321</b> and the first electrode pad <b>312</b> or between the second metal sheet <b>312</b>, the metal sheet <b>321</b> and the second electrode pad <b>322</b> may remain fixed using adhesive. That is, in order to recognize exact locations at which the first and second training pads <b>320</b> and <b>320</b> are attached, the proximity sensors <b>500</b> are installed at locations where the first and second training pads <b>310</b> and <b>320</b> are attached, whereas the aluminum sheet <b>400</b> that the proximity sensor <b>500</b> may detect is attached to either the first training pad <b>310</b> or the second training pad <b>320</b>. In this way, it is possible to check not only whether each of the first and second training pads <b>310</b> and <b>320</b> are attached at correct locations, but also whether the first and second training pads <b>310</b> and <b>320</b> are attached to the upper right part of the chest and the bottom left side of the chest, respectively, in the dummy <b>100</b>. Detailed descriptions about the aluminum sheet <b>400</b> and the proximity sensor <b>500</b> will be provided later. As described above, more precise defibrillation training may be possible due to the aluminum sheet <b>400</b> and the proximity sensors <b>500</b>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a front view illustrating first and second training pads shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a side view illustrating first and second training pads shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of first magnets <b>210</b> are installed in an area close to a proximity sensor <b>500</b>, and a plurality of second magnets <b>220</b> are installed in an area close to a different proximity sensor <b>500</b>. Each of the first magnets <b>210</b> and the second magnets <b>220</b> has magnetic force, so that the first metal sheet <b>311</b> of the first training pad <b>310</b> and the second metal sheet <b>321</b> of the second training pad <b>320</b> may be attached to the first magnets <b>210</b> and the second magnets <b>220</b>, respectively, by magnetic force. If there are a plurality of first magnets <b>210</b> and a plurality of second magnets <b>220</b>, the first magnets <b>210</b> and the second magnets <b>220</b> are installed over a wider surface area, and thus collective magnetic force of the first magnets <b>210</b> or the second magnets <b>220</b> becomes greater, so that the first and the second training pads <b>310</b> and <b>320</b> may be prevented from being detached from the dummy <b>100</b> even in the case where a chest press is performed. In addition, as each proximity sensor <b>500</b> is arranged at the center of the first magnets <b>210</b> and at the center of the second magnets <b>220</b>, the aluminum sheet <b>400</b> may be detected more accurately when the first and second training pads <b>310</b> and <b>320</b> are attached to the dummy.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a perspective view of a dummy shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, to which a cover is coupled. Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, the dummy <b>100</b> includes a cover <b>110</b> to cover the body in which the first and second magnets <b>210</b> and <b>220</b> or the proximity sensors <b>500</b> are installed. That is, the cover <b>110</b> is used to open or close the body of the dummy <b>100</b>, and the first and second magnets <b>210</b> and <b>220</b> and the proximity sensors <b>500</b> may be protected by the cover <b>110</b>.

The cover <b>110</b> is able to be coupled to and detached from the body of the dummy <b>100</b>. In addition, the cover <b>110</b> may be made from various materials as long as such materials does not interfere with the magnetic force of the first and second magnets <b>210</b> and <b>220</b>, and not hinder detecting performance of the proximity sensors <b>500</b> for the purpose of attachment of the first and second metal sheets <b>311</b> and <b>321</b> to the dummy <b>100</b>.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the aluminum sheet <b>400</b> is formed only in the first training pad <b>310</b>, not in the second training pad <b>320</b>, and each proximity sensor <b>500</b>, which detects the aluminum sheet <b>400</b>, is installed in an area close to the first magnet <b>210</b> and an area close to the second magnet <b>220</b>.

The proximity sensor <b>500</b> may be an inductance detector or high-frequency detector, which outputs an ON/OFF signal when recognizing an object. Alternatively, the proximity sensor <b>500</b> may include a signal outputting means, such as a Liquid Emitting Display (LED) lamp and a display panel, which outputs a result of detecting the aluminum sheet <b>400</b>. The aluminum sheet <b>400</b> may be a metal sheet made from steel (Fe), copper (Cu), Aluminum (Al), Nickel (Ni), Gold (Au) and Silver (Ag), all of which is able to be detected by the proximity sensor <b>500</b>.

The aluminum sheet <b>400</b> is formed between the first metal sheet <b>311</b> and the first electrode pad <b>312</b> in the first training pad <b>310</b>, and thus, when the first training pad <b>310</b> is attached to the dummy <b>100</b>, the proximity sensor <b>500</b> may be able to check attachment of the first training pad <b>310</b> and outputs an ON signal to notify that the first training pad <b>310</b> is properly attached. Meanwhile, as the aluminum sheet <b>400</b> is not provided between the second metal sheet <b>321</b> and the second electrode pad <b>322</b> in the second training pad <b>320</b>, the proximity sensor <b>500</b> is unable to detect attachment of the second training pad <b>320</b> and thus outputs an OFF signal continuously. Therefore, according to an ON signal output from the right proximity sensor <b>500</b> and an OFF signal output from the left proximity sensor <b>500</b>, it is possible to check whether the first training pad <b>310</b> and the second training pad <b>320</b> are respectively attached at correct locations in the dummy <b>100</b>.

In the event that the aluminum sheet <b>400</b> is formed only on the first training pad <b>310</b>, which is to be attached to the right side of the dummy <b>100</b> as described above, if the first and second training pads <b>310</b> and <b>320</b> are properly attached to the dummy <b>100</b>, an proximity sensor <b>500</b> close to the first magnet <b>210</b> outputs an ON signal while an proximity sensor <b>500</b> close to the second magnet <b>220</b> outputs an OFF signal. Yet, if each of the first and second training pads <b>310</b> and <b>320</b> is attached at a location corresponding to the other, the proximity sensor <b>500</b> close to the first magnet <b>210</b> outputs an OFF signal while the proximity sensor <b>500</b> close to the second magnet <b>220</b> outputs an ON signal, showing that each of the first and second training pads <b>310</b> and <b>320</b> are attached at a location corresponding to the other. In addition, if both the proximity sensor <b>500</b> close to the first magnet <b>210</b> and the proximity sensor <b>500</b> close to the second magnet <b>220</b> output an OFF signal, it is possible to confirm that the first and second training pads <b>310</b> and <b>320</b> are attached at incorrect locations of the dummy <b>100</b>. Furthermore, if both the proximity sensor <b>500</b> close to the first magnet <b>210</b> and the proximity sensor <b>500</b> close to the second magnet <b>220</b> output an ON signal, it is possible to confirm that substances other than the first and second training pads <b>310</b> and <b>320</b> are attached to the dummy <b>100</b>. If necessary, the aluminum sheet <b>400</b> may be formed only in the second training pad <b>320</b>, not in the first training pad <b>310</b>.

According to the above-described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) simulator enabling repeated defibrillation training allows electrode pads to be used repeatedly in defibrillation training. As a result, more trainees can practice the use of a defibrillator, and a person or institution in charge of the defibrillation training may be relieved of the cost burden as equipment costs may be reduced.

In addition, the trainees can be trained to attach electrode pads at correct locations of a body, so that all the trainees may be good at using a defibrillator, and become well-prepared for an emergency situation through repeated and effective defibrillation training.

Furthermore, magnetic training pads and a CPR simulator are used for both an AED trainer and an AED trainee. Thus, a diverse range of people from medical experts to unskilled people can be trained effectively.

A number of examples have been described above. Nevertheless, it should be understood that various modifications may be made. For example, suitable results may be achieved if the described techniques are performed in a different order and/or if components in a described system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined in a different manner and/or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.